Letter to the readers, Mainstream, March 5, 2022

Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, March 5, 2022

A study published in India’s reputed journal Science estimates that the number of Covid-19 related deaths in India between “1 June 2020 and 1 July 2021” was over 3 million which is eight times the official Government figure on coronavirus deaths of 400,000. We hope that the, universities, statisticians and public health specialists will over time produce more such studies so that they are eventually officially accepted by the Government. Opposition political parties and NGOs should keep the pressure up on the Government to update the figures and accordingly earmark an enhanced public health budget and a climate mitigation fund designed to cater to national medical emergencies caused by pandemics, severe air and water pollution and for people affected by adverse climatic events. Much like the illegal US led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which used misleading propaganda to justify war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also in breach of international law. Russia’s war on Ukraine will impact the global economy, creating a big financial burden and new energy consequences in many countries including ours. We must prepare for the financial consequences. The Indian government should do all not to let the financial commitments towards climate and social emergencies slide down and not mimic other countries which are likely to transfer resources committed for climate action, towards ramping up of military budgets as a consequence of this war in Europe

Tributes:

Kumar Rupesinghe, the Sri Lankan academic involved conflict prevention passed away on February 20, 2022

Mehdi Hassan, the Pakistani Journalist and respected media historian passed away on February 23, 2022.

Shane Warne, the Australian cricketer who considered to be one of the greatest bowlers passed away on March 4, 2022.

We pay tributes to all of the above people

March 5, 2022 – HK